prosthetic

American  

[pros-thet-ik] / prɒsˈθɛt ɪk /

adjective

1. of or relating to an artificial body part or prosthesis.

   He was fitted for a prosthetic arm.

2. of or relating to the fields of surgical or dental prosthetics.

   advances in prosthetic technology.

3. of or relating to a substance, item, or process used to transform a person’s appearance temporarily, especially as a theatrical special effect.

   The final scene required painstaking application of prosthetic hair and skin.

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noun

1. an artificial body part; a prosthesis.

   Hundreds of amputees volunteered to test the new prosthetics.

2. an appearance-altering substance or item applied temporarily to a person’s face or body, especially to create a theatrical special effect.

   Alien creatures are brought to life with realistic prosthetics.

Other Word Forms

• prosthetically
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of prosthetic

1735–40; < Modern Latin prostheticus, from Hellenistic Greek prosthetikós, equivalent to prósthet(os) “added on,” verbid of prostithе́nai “to add, put onto” ( pros- pros- ( def. ). + the-, stem of tithе́nai “to put, place” + -tos verbid suffix) + -ikos -ic ( def. )

Explanation

Use the adjective prosthetic to describe something that has to do with an artificial body part. You might know someone who walks with the help of a prosthetic leg. Something that's prosthetic fills in for a missing part. In some cases, people are born without an arm or a foot, and in others they've lost a limb in an accident. Prosthetic limbs can help them get along more easily, substituting for the absent part. Prosthetic has a Greek root, prostithenai, or "addition," and an early meaning of "that which is added to the body."

Example Sentences

They came of age when Orlando Bloom’s Legolas, kitted out in a blond wig, armor and prosthetic pointy ears, was a teen heartthrob.

From Salon • Jun. 24, 2026

His dad said it was a "massive decision" to amputate but having a prosthetic had never held his son back as he learned to walk on a blade.

From BBC • May 13, 2026

For years, scientists have searched for ways to move beyond prosthetic limbs and toward treatments capable of restoring natural movement, sensation, and function.

From Science Daily • May 9, 2026

The moves are inspired, even with the prosthetic belly you’re wearing.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 10, 2026

“Not mine. They belonged to my brother, who gave up fishing when he was injured. It’s not easy to wear waders with a prosthetic leg. If I sit on the stairs, perhaps you could...”

From "The Book of Dust: La Belle Sauvage" by Philip Pullman